Use mortgage calculators to see what amount of mortgage you could pay every month. If the amount you can afford is less than the cost of homes that interest you, then you might want to wait a bit longer. You can also contact a real estate broker or a HUD-funded housing counseling agency since they might help you evaluate your loan potential. A broker knows what kinds of mortgages are offered by lenders and can help you choose a program that might be right for you. It’s also a good idea to be pre-approved for a loan. That means you apply for a mortgage before you actually start looking for a house. This will let you know how much you can afford to spend. Pre-approvals speed up the process once you find the home that you like.